The purpose of the consultation is to develop and draft subordinate legislation in respect of the remaining operator licensing provisions of the Road Transport Act 2001.

In 2005, the Department made changes to the planning system, following the consultation in 2002 on a paper called “Modernising the Planning System”. The Department is now seeking views on these changes. There has also been an independent review of the planning system, which was undertaken following a Resolution of Tynwald. This Planning Peer Review has resulted in the production of a report of the findings made, and the Department is also publishing this for consultation.

The draft Order lists acts containing other functions of the OFT in respect of which restricted information may also be disclosed. This draft Order replicates existing gateways made under an existing Gateways Order which needs to be replicated under the new Financial Services Act 2008

As part of its contribution towards the overall strategic vision of the Isle of Man Government, the Isle of Man Office of Fair Trading (‘OFT’) has developed proposals for a Good Trader Scheme (‘GTS’). The aim of the GTS is to help the Island’s consumers avoid falling prey to cowboy builders and other rogue traders by promoting reputable traders whilst providing assurance and protection for those consumers.

Consumers often ask the OFT to provide details of reputable traders and we believe that the GTS will enable us to do this and thereby improve confidence levels when consumers need to find a trader they can trust to supply goods or services. It is envisaged that the GTS will first consider applications from traders in the home improvements sector with an extension to traders selling and/or repairing motor vehicles being likely thereafter. Further categories of traders will then be considered as required.

The Communications Commission is inviting written responses, by Friday 21 November 2008, to its consultation paper published today on proposals to change ITV’s regional news coverage of the Isle of Man.